15 Best Banks in Delaware

1. Chase

Chase runs 16 branches in Delaware, and it will pay you $400 to open a checking account. That is the largest new-checking bonus any major bank is offering right now, and it is money most Delawareans leave on the table by keeping the account they opened years ago.

Here is the entire requirement. Open a new Total Checking account, then have $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits arrive within 90 days of enrolling in the offer. It is cumulative, so two or three ordinary paychecks clear it, and the bonus is paid within 15 days of you meeting the requirement. The $15 monthly service fee drops to $0 in any statement period with $500 or more in qualifying electronic deposits, a $1,500 daily beginning balance, or $5,000 in average beginning day balance across linked accounts. One trap to know: Zelle, cash, checks, wires and interest do not count toward either number.

Set your expectations on the footprint. 16 branches across Delaware is not a bank on every corner, so treat Chase as a national account you can occasionally reach in person rather than a neighborhood bank. What carries it is the nationwide side: 5,000+ branches and 14,000+ ATMs, Zelle built in, a well-rated app, and the option to add a Chase savings account or credit card later under the same login.

The catch worth naming: the bonus is only open to people who are not already Chase checking customers, and you can collect one new-checking bonus every two years. It is reported to the IRS on a 1099-INT. If that fits you, open a Total Checking account and route your paycheck to it.

If you want the biggest checking bonus on the market alongside a real Delaware branch network, claim the $400 with Chase here.

2. Current

A Wilmington rent payment and a car repair rarely land in a convenient order. The gap between when a bill is due and when your paycheck lands is where most budgets actually break, and it is the specific problem Current is built for.

The signup math is simple. Open an account with promo code WELCOME75 and get $75 once your Eligible Payroll Deposits total $1,500 or more in your first 35 days. It is cumulative rather than one big deposit, it is new customers only, and the cash arrives about 10 business days after you cross the line. Recurring wages from an employer, a payroll provider or a government payer count. Non-direct-deposit ACH transfers, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, PayPal, Google Pay, mobile check deposits, cash and one-off deposits such as a tax refund do not.

The feature that earns its keep after the bonus is Paycheck Advance, which lets you draw up to $750 of pay before payday and is offered by Finco Advance LLC rather than a bank. There is no monthly fee on the account, and the whole thing opens from your phone, which is the point in a state where the nearest branch may not be convenient.

One thing to be clear about, because it is routinely written up wrong: Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services come from Choice Financial Group and/or Cross River Bank, both Member FDIC, so deposit insurance reaches you on a pass-through basis up to $250,000 and depends on those conditions being met. If that structure is fine with you, open an account with code WELCOME75 and claim the $75.

3. Wells Fargo

Delaware residents can rely on Wells Fargo for its dependable services and generous $325 bonus offer. With branches in Wilmington, Dover, and beyond, Wells Fargo provides accessible banking solutions across the state. 

The Everyday Checking account requires just a $25 minimum deposit to open, and you can earn the $325 bonus by receiving $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days. The account features include 24/7 fraud monitoring and a simple online application process. The $15 monthly fee is easily avoidable with qualifying activities.

4. All4You Federal Credit Union

If you live, work, attend school, or worship in New Castle, Wilmington, Newark, or any surrounding area, you can become part of the All4You Federal Credit Union. This credit union offers personal and business bank accounts you can use to your advantage. 

Open a Share Builder account to earn a competitive APY most online-only banks have trouble beating. For the All4You Federal Credit Union savings accounts, your APY is tiered to how much you have in the account. 

Most checking accounts from this credit union don’t require a minimum balance or monthly fee. You can also participate in online and mobile banking if you don’t want to visit a physical branch. 

Your first order of checks is free with an All4You Federal Credit Union account. You’ll need $50 to open one, and you’ll have to meet minimum balance and deposit requirements for the highest interest rates. 

5. Artisans’ Bank

Artisans’ Bank offers FDIC-insured bank accounts, including checking, savings, and money market accounts. You can also apply for several credit cards that offer cash-back rewards. 

This bank opened in 1861 and has been serving Delaware residents ever since. It operates 12 branches in the state, along with two commercial lending offices. 

You can also find small business banking services at Artisans’ Bank. These include business bank accounts, credit cards, and loans. 

6. Barclays Bank

Though Barclays Bank only has a single location in Wilmington, Delaware, it is classified as a global bank. This bank is well-known for its high-interest savings accounts and CDs, but it offers some of the best bank accounts for those who don’t want to pay a monthly fee. 

Barclays Bank is also known for charging less if you have to withdraw from your CD early. This bank offers a wide range of rewards credit cards and customer service available seven days a week. 

7. Community Bank Delaware

Locally owned and managed, Community Bank Delaware offers several financial products and services, which include: 

• Checking accounts
• Savings accounts
• Mortgages
• Credit cards
• CDs
• Home equity loans

You can also open several business bank accounts at Community Bank Delaware. This bank offers merchant services, credit cards, and checking and savings accounts. 

Additional personal banking services include wire transfers, cashier’s checks, online banking, direct deposit, and safety deposit boxes. Check out Community Bank Delaware if you need to break up with your current bank and want a new bank account. 

8. County Bank

As simple as this bank’s name sounds, the possibilities of what you can do with its financial products and services are endless. County Bank operates seven branches in Delaware and offers its Free Kasasa Cash Checking account if you want to avoid monthly fees. 

You’ll need $25 to open this account, which doesn’t have a minimum balance requirement. You’ll also gain access to online bill pay and mobile banking. 

If you enroll in e-Statements, log into your online bank account once, and make 12 debit card transactions monthly, you can earn interest on your checking account balance, up to $10,000. You can also get $20 of ATM fees reimbursed if you meet these requirements. 

9. Del-One Credit Union

Even if you have a ChexSystems profile entry, you can open an account with Del-One Credit Union. This credit union requires that you pay back what you owe a year before you seek a new account, have only one bank reported on your profile, and have no outstanding charges or fraud claims. 

The Regular Checking account from Del-One Credit Union doesn’t require a minimum balance or monthly maintenance fee. You can also earn interest on your balance if you have more than $500 in your new account. 

You’ll need at least $5 to open a Regular Checking account. It also comes with unlimited check writing, a debit card, and mobile and online banking access. 

Del-One Credit Union operates 10 locations across the state of Delaware. To be eligible for membership, you must live, work, or worship in Milford, Newark, Wilmington, West Dover, or Georgetown. 

10. Fulton Bank

Open a Simply Checking account from Fulton Bank, and you won’t pay monthly fees or be held to a minimum balance requirement. This bank also offers a rewards Visa debit card and online banking with bill pay. 

If you’re between 18 and 24, you can receive a reimbursement for your non-network ATM fees, up to $10 monthly. Otherwise, you must eat the $2.50 fee to access an out-of-network ATM. 

11. Louviers Federal Credit Union

This credit union is the fifth largest in the state and serves almost 20,000 residents from four branches. If you want to open a savings account to get your nest egg started, the Preferred Savings Account from this credit union ranks highly. 

This savings account offers above-average savings interest rates. However, you must have at least $2,500 to add to the account. 

Headquartered in Newark, Louviers Federal Credit Union also offers overdraft protection. Check it out if you’re in Delaware and need a new bank account to start fresh. 

12. M&T Bank

Choose from four checking accounts at M&T Bank, which has locations in Wilmington and New Castle. This bank also offers Zelle, digital banking, and mobile deposits. 

The EZ Choice Checking account is free. You can also open a MyWay Banking account if you don’t need to write checks or want to pay overdraft fees. 

Open a MyChoice Plus account, and you’ll earn interest on your balance. You can also open a MyChoice Premium account to earn competitive rates on loans and other products. 

M&T Bank operates over 700 branches and 1,800 ATMs across 11 states. It also doesn’t charge monthly fees for its accounts, which are connected to a vast ATM network. 

13. PNC Bank

Ranked among the largest banks in the U.S., PNC Bank has 30 branches located in Delaware alone. Our guide covers when PNC branches open and close. PNC Bank is well-known for its Virtual Wallet accounts that come with a generous sign-up bonus. 

These combined checking and savings accounts allow you access to online bill pay, a debit card, and free mobile banking. You can also avoid the monthly maintenance fee if you maintain a direct deposit balance. 

PNC Bank offers mortgages, loans, auto and personal loans, refinancing, and home equity lines of credit. While the high-yield savings account offers a competitive rate, it’s unavailable in all states. 

14. The Bank of Delmarva

With branches scattered across three counties, The Bank of Delmarva offers personal and business banking products. These include business loans, merchant services, money market accounts, CDs, IRAs, checking accounts, and savings accounts. 

This community bank offers a Free Personal Checking account that requires $50 to open. It comes without monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements. 

You’re connected to online and mobile banking with The Bank of Delmarva. This bank also scores high for top-notch customer service across its dozen branches in the state. 

15. WSFS Bank

WSFS Bank offers several checking accounts, including accounts with fees you can waive. For example, the Free Direct Checking account comes without a monthly fee if you set up direct deposit within 90 days of opening your account. 

If you fail to do this, WSFS Bank only charges $6 monthly. This account also comes with loan discount rates and overdraft protection. 

You’ll need $100 to open this basic checking account. You can also open a Core Checking account if you have $500 to deposit immediately. 

In addition to checking accounts, WSFS Bank offers savings accounts, wealth management, credit cards, and loans. If you open a CD, you’ll enjoy competitive interest rates. 

WSFS Bank also offers business banking solutions, including cash management, merchant services, and SVP management. Access your accounts any time from the 670 ATM locations scattered throughout the state.